That's Love

Dance into Tomorrow

I'm having fun!
  I'm dancing without thinking about it.
  I'm running, feet off the ground, soaring into tomorrow.
  I'm energized about the happenings and the potentialities and the exploration!

But then I remember,
  I don't have income to pay for the simple process of living.
  My heart shuts down, my mind lurches, my soul retreats into the darkness.
  Thoroughly ensconced in my fear, I stop breathing, forget the potentials, fall into despair.

And without adieu,
  the brilliance is snuffed out,
  eclipsed by the shroud of death that only fear can impart.
  The chi asphyxiated, the potential slaughtered, the exploration terminated.

Turning to the light.
  Letting go the need to hide behind fear.
  Daring again to face forward, to embrace the dance.
  Stepping into the mystery, intention and faith co-creators and bold.

Dancing in the mystery
  is for the courageous, the audacious.
  And, it is for me...reluctant, awkward, regular, uncertain.
  Dance through the fear, even when you forget the steps!  Dance into tomorrow!

Hallelujah

This week, a teacher assigned us to
  proclaim, 'Hallelujah' in midst of suffering.
  This, I believed, is a Spirit-infused response to life.

That was the theory, the inspiration.
  And now, as another 'dark night' descends on
  my soul, I am called to sing, 'Hallelujah', even as I cry.

Through tears, I listen to Leonard Cohen's, 'Hallelujah'
  over and again, because I cannot bring the word to my lips.

Hallelujah, Hallelujah.
  Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Tears cascading, heart breaking, alone...
  Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah.

Touch my soul.  Hold it gently, for I feel it
  dissolving into the energy from which it emerged.

And then, this 'I' will no longer exist,
  a memory only to those few it touched.

Hallelujah, Hallelujah.
  Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah.

'You don't need answers, only prayer.'

Hallelujah, Hallelujah.
  Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah.

'I hear you.  I feel your pain.  I love you.'

Hallelujah, Hallelujah.
  Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah.

'There is no worst case, only love.'

Hallelujah, Hallelujah.
  Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah.

'You are beauty.  You are light.  I AM here.'

Hallelujah, Hallelujah.
  Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah.

'Your tears are precious, life giving.  You are precious.'

Hallelujah, Hallelujah.
  Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah.

Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah...

They are cold.  They are hungry.
 Warm them, feed them, hold the holy
  gift of pristine water to their parched lips.

Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah.

Reach to the depths of your immortal soul.
  Find there the treasures gifted your mortal being.
  Shower the world with those gifts..with wild abandon.

Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah.

I don't know the tune, but I feel the rhythym.
  I don't know words, yet they appear on the page.
  I can't see the path, but each footfall illumines the next step.

Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah.

Wretched, hopeless, frightened, alone.
  The heaviness of our hearts draws us ever
  more deeply into the dark, the holy dark, Hallelujah.

Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah.

Wealth beyond measure hiding empty hearts.
  The ravenous, bottomless abyss of earthly measures
  turning souls stone cold, collapsing life in on itself, laughing.

Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah.

Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah.

The dark night of the soul.
  Humankind, the scourge upon the earth.
  People, the answer, the Hallelujah, the hope.

Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah.

The Dark

The dark is ubiquitous,
  everywhere, ever-present,
  pierced only occasionally by light.

The dark is the mystery.
  It is the hidden, the unknown.
  It is the veil that hides the secrets.

There is more dark than light.
  But dark is not wicked.
  It is not treacherous.

Like the light, it just is.

The light allows us to see with our eyes.
  The dark invites us to see with our souls.
  Our souls open our eyes to the universe.

The dark universe.
  The mystery inside ourselves.
  Close your eyes, witness the All.

for Ryan

There is a young man who
  bears the anguish of faith-aborted
  by religious zealotry and intolerance.

I wish to encourage him,
  'Please don't let religious soldiers
  despoil or hold your faith for ransom!'

'Remember, always, that
  religion is a social construction,
  invented by those who hold power.'

'It will always be imperfect,
  used for both good and harm,
  for it is an invention of humankind.'

'Religion inspires and oppresses.
  It shows people a path to their gods,
  and lays seige upon defenseless hearts.'

'But, religion's most grievous offense
  is tearing asunder souls from the path of
  faith they were meant to journey in this life.'

'Betrayed by religion, grieving souls
  disparage church and turn from spirit,
  mistakenly conflating religion and faith.'

'My friend, don't make that mistake!

'Find in religion that which
  nourishes and leave the rest behind,
  for it matters not to your faith journey.'

'Find spirit in your own heart.
  Allow your faith to come alive to
  the truth that resides deep within you.'

'Rejoice in that faith!  Release your soul to soar!
  That is why you are here.  This is your path and journey.'

Gratitude

I have been gifted with my work.
  It does not come with wages and benefits.
  More importantly, it offers the manna of my soul.

Yesterday morning, my soul wept.
  I feared I had no reason, no purpose here.
  Today, my soul rejoices at my opportunity to give.

I can't see beyond this moment.
  But, on this day, I am thankful, grateful.
  I am comfortable in the dark with my soul work.

The Greatest Blessing

Yesterday, I cried,
  'If you have not need of me, please take me home!
  I see no reason for existence except to gift to life.
  Please!  Don't leave me here without purpose!'

For, much as I fear my imminent financial collapse,
  I fear most that I offer nothing of value to Spirit.
  The possibility is unthinkable, preposterous to
  one who dedicated her all to gift back to life.

Through my tears, I felt Spirit's whisper in my heart.
  'Look. Today, you have an opportunity to give.'
  I remembered the meeting with a food bank.
  So, wiping my tears, I started to prepare.

Later, I left the meeting profoundly aware that
  Spirit has entrusted me with a precious task.
  I get to be part of the answer to hunger!
  I get to give back to life with my life!

There is no greater blessing.